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An Australian intern in London

3 October 2016
Developing interests through internships

This October Sydney Law School student Catherine Qu will journey to London to participate in the exclusive International Bar Association Internship.

Australian intern in London

The internship is with the Commercial Law and Policy Reform Unit at the International Bar Association, which manages areas including anti corruption, multi jurisdictional practice, corporate governance, anti money laundering, merger control, competition law and policy, and international trade. 

The internship involves tasks ranging from conducting legal research, drafting reports and working papers, to assisting in planning and developing new international projects and initiatives. 

Catherine views the three month internship as an opportunity to develop her interests in private international law and legal policy. 

"I hope to develop my research and drafting skills, familiarise myself with the topics involved and meet a network of inspiring people," she says. 

The International Bar Association internship, which only accepts ten people worldwide, provides invaluable insight and knowledge on international commercial law reform.

Catherine Qu

In future, Catherine plans to engage in projects within the research space or legal practice. 

She hopes to contribute to the work on the harmonisation of international law, a goal which the internship will aid her to achieve. 

"I am hoping to build not only networks and expertise in this specific area, but develop skills of critical analysis and intellectual excellence that I can take anywhere in my career," she says. 

Catherine decided to study at Sydney Law School because she wanted to pursue a challenge in an area that played to her strengths, critical thinking and writing. 

Now in her final year of the Bachelor of Laws, she is continuing to discover the many possibilities offered by her degree. 

The London internship isn’t her first overseas experience however. In 2013, she went to Lund University in Sweden as an exchange student, and to Fudan University in China for in country study the following year. 

In 2015 she travelled to Spain for a month to study the Spanish language. Later this year she will be attending a working group conference in Vienna, as part of UNLAWS (UNCCA Law Student Attendance Working Group Scheme), an initiative of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) 

Outside of her studies, Catherine has enjoyed participating in the rich network of student-run societies at the University of Sydney. 

"The highlight has been my participation in the MADSOC (Movement and Dance Society) and in particular, choreographing and dancing in the major showcases over three years. 

"Everyone in the society is passionate about dance and it was definitely a much needed break from studying law," she says.

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